Steady Big Joe wins Times Trophy for a second time

Steady Big Joe wins Times Trophy for a second time

COWDENBEATH FC were presented with the Barrs Irn Bru Second Division championship trophy following their home match against Airdrie United. Later players, club officials and fans gathered at Wee Jimmies for the annual Cowdenbeath Supporters Club Player of the Year Awards evening and one of the highlights of the night was centre-back Joe Mbu winning the Times Trophy for a second time.

Wee Jimmies was bursting at the seams as 'We are the Champions' rang out and fans queued to have their photos taken with the players and the trophy last won by Cowdenbeath back in 1939. Comedian Phil Differ (of 'Only an Excuse' fame) hosted the event, alongside Dave Tuson and David Allan, from the Supporters Club. Dave Tuson welcomed all the supporters and paid tribute to the lads who had brought trophy success once more to Cowdenbeath. Club chairman, Donald Findlay, then addressed the assembled throng in his own inimitable style and paid a fulsome tribute to the roles that everyone present had played in delivering the Second Division title. He said he had set Colin Cameron a clear objective to take Cowden back to Division 1 straight away as champions and Colin and the players had delivered in fine style. He added, "Now the plan is to consolidate the club in the 1st Division. "I would like to praise my fellow directors. John Lints proved such an able vice-chairman; Neil Fentie, who had invested in the club, and the local fans stepped in so ably to run the club when its future had been under threat and indeed had brought myself and John onto the Board". Colin Cameron then accepted the accolades of the audience and thanked the fans, players and everyone who had helped the club achieve this success. It had been one of his greatest football achievements. The festivities continued with the presentations of the various trophies to the victorious Cowden squad. The first trophy awarded was the Supporters' Club Young Player of the Year (John Finlay snr Memorial Trophy). John Finlay stepped up to hand over the trophy named in honour of his late father to tigerish full back (and part-time wrestler) Dean Brett. Dean had edged out Thomas Flynn and Thomas O'Brien for this award. The Top League Goalscorer (Hookey Leonard) Trophy was then awarded to the flying machine that is Marc McKenzie who had scored 18 league goals. Lewis Coult with 13 goals was the runner-up. This was followed by the award of the trophy for the Best Individual Display (The Pollock Shield). The flamboyant 'Flamingo,' Lewis Coult carried off the honours for his hat trick versus Stirling Albion. Thomas Flynn was runner up for his game changing display in the vital 2-0 win at Stirling near the season's close which included a superb penalty save. Next up was the Goal of the Season (One Stop Mortgages Trophy sponsored by Chic Robb). For the first time ever, the result was a tie. The voting could not separate Jordan Morton's rocket drive v East Fife and Jon Robertson's 'Soccer AM special' v Hibs. Greg Stewart came third with his 15.8 second shocker for the Hibees. The Dublin Supporters Club next took the floor and handed over their Player of the Year Trophy to centre half John 'Chopper' Armstrong. This made it a double for John who had also been named the Junction Bar Cowdenbeath Supporters Club Player of the Year a week earlier. The Dublin lads also presented a special award to player/boss Colin Cameron. The Fans' Player of the Year (Junction Bar Trophy) went to Marc McKenzie. 'Squib' then promptly added to his growing trophy haul by picking up the Eric Mitchell Trophy as Players' Player of the Year. The Lord Ewing Shield for the Cowdenbeath FC Supporter of the Year was this year jointly awarded to Darren Adamson and Stuart Watson. Darren is the club's kitman and has also put in a power of work down at Central Park this year in a number of roles. Stuart, another long time loyal fan, made a major fund raising contribution to the club in 2011/12 with funds generated from a gig organised by his Rubberstamp Promotions. The awards ceremony then climaxed with the big one, the Cowdenbeath FC Supporters Club Player of the Year. First awarded 49 years ago to Jackie Sinclair in 1963, The Central Fife Times Trophy this year was presented to the hugely popular, man mountain that is Joe Mbu. Joe is now a two times winner of this award alongside Craig Winter, Graeme Brown, Davie White, Raymond Allan and Andy Kinnell. The assembled company then partied on long into the night as Lewis Coult and Joe Mbu led the way and strutted their stuff on the dance floor.

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